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The Glass Family #2
Insider
Someone’s playing both sides and now they have a score to settle…
When the family business is crime, you can never be sure who to trust. And when three of their businesses are hit in one night, the notorious Glass family close ranks. Either someone is sending them a message or a war is coming...
With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust.
Crooked cops, rival gangs and old enemies are bad enough, but when the trouble comes from the inside, loyalties are tested, with deadly consequences.
Page-turning, gripping, gritty, Insider is perfect for fans of Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers and Mandasue Heller.
When the family business is crime, you can never be sure who to trust. And when three of their businesses are hit in one night, the notorious Glass family close ranks. Either someone is sending them a message or a war is coming...
With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust.
Crooked cops, rival gangs and old enemies are bad enough, but when the trouble comes from the inside, loyalties are tested, with deadly consequences.
Page-turning, gripping, gritty, Insider is perfect for fans of Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers and Mandasue Heller.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
164 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Owen Mullen
24 books191 followersBestselling author Owen Mullen is a McIlvanney Crime Book Of The Year long-listed novelist.
Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
New and exciting things are happening in 2021 and if you'd like to know all about them ahead of time, subscribe to my newsletter. You won't be spammed but you will be sent exclusive competitions and giveaways, and oh yeah...get all the inside gen...
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If you would like a set of questions for book group discussions please contact me.
linktr.ee/OwenMullen
Copyright
Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
New and exciting things are happening in 2021 and if you'd like to know all about them ahead of time, subscribe to my newsletter. You won't be spammed but you will be sent exclusive competitions and giveaways, and oh yeah...get all the inside gen...
Sign up here 😃 bit.ly/JOINNEWSLETTER
If you would like a set of questions for book group discussions please contact me.
linktr.ee/OwenMullen
Copyright
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 3, 2021
EXCERPT: The van turned right into a deserted Great Eastern Street and on until traffic lights on City Road stopped its progress. The engine idled, the acrid smell of diesel drifted on the air. Freddy tapped the wheel with his finger.
'He was a homo, old Ronnie, did I mention that? Queer as a bottle of chips. And Reggie was bisexual. Had sex with each other to keep it a secret. God's honest. Ronnie admitted as much to some geezer writing a book about them. Not many-'
The bullet exploded the side window, ending the monologue, entered his heart, killing him instantly. The rear doors flew open. A rapid burst of fire from a semiautomatic carbine sprayed the inside, thudding into the minders, making them dance like drunken puppets; they were dead before they could draw their guns. One of the assassins manhandled Freddy's lifeless body into the passenger seat, while the other two got into the back beside the slain guards. When the lights turned green, the van pulled away. Nobody saw. It wouldn't have mattered if they had. In this part of town people were smart enough to keep their noses out of what didn't concern them - no different to the night Ronnie Kray had walked into the Blind Beggar and shot George Cornell.
It had taken all of thirty seconds to kill three men and steal two hundred thousand pounds.
Freddy would've been impressed. What a story that would've been.
ABOUT 'INSIDER': Someone’s playing both sides and now they have a score to settle…
When the family business is crime, you can never be sure who to trust. And when three of their businesses are hit in one night, the notorious Glass family close ranks. Either someone is sending them a message or a war is coming...
With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust.
Crooked cops, rival gangs and old enemies are bad enough, but when the trouble comes from the inside, loyalties are tested, with deadly consequences.
MY THOUGHTS: I am on record, more than once, as having said that I don't like books about gangs and organised crime. It's time I added a qualifier to that statement: I don't like books about gangs and organised crime, unless they are written by Owen Mullen.
Mullen has written a fast paced thriller centred around the Glass family, and although it follows on from the first book in this series, Family, Insider possibly could be read as a stand-alone. But believe me, you would be missing out on some damned fine writing and the story behind the Glass empire.
This is a family for whom the answer to any and every problem is violence. And yet the violence in Insider is not gratuitous. I didn't skip one word of this book. Everything worked and worked superbly.
The characters are ones that I should, by rights, dislike. They are criminals. Life is cheap. But I don't dislike them. I have a sneaking admiration for them. I enjoy the family rivalries, and I particularly liked the introduction of Charley - is she who she claims to be, Luke and Nina's sister, or is she someone else altogether? The same question applies to ex-DI Mark Douglas.
Mullen has written a tautly executed thriller that will have you reading much later into the night than you intend. And no, he hasn't lost his sense of humour. It's evident in Insider from beginning to end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Insider #OwenMullen
I: @owenmullen6 #BoldwoodBooks
T: @OwenMullen6 @BoldwoodBooks
#fivestarread #crime #familydrama #contemporaryfiction #suspense #thriller #series
THE AUTHOR: Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to author Owen Mullen for providing a digital ARC of his novel Insider (The Glass Family #2) for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'He was a homo, old Ronnie, did I mention that? Queer as a bottle of chips. And Reggie was bisexual. Had sex with each other to keep it a secret. God's honest. Ronnie admitted as much to some geezer writing a book about them. Not many-'
The bullet exploded the side window, ending the monologue, entered his heart, killing him instantly. The rear doors flew open. A rapid burst of fire from a semiautomatic carbine sprayed the inside, thudding into the minders, making them dance like drunken puppets; they were dead before they could draw their guns. One of the assassins manhandled Freddy's lifeless body into the passenger seat, while the other two got into the back beside the slain guards. When the lights turned green, the van pulled away. Nobody saw. It wouldn't have mattered if they had. In this part of town people were smart enough to keep their noses out of what didn't concern them - no different to the night Ronnie Kray had walked into the Blind Beggar and shot George Cornell.
It had taken all of thirty seconds to kill three men and steal two hundred thousand pounds.
Freddy would've been impressed. What a story that would've been.
ABOUT 'INSIDER': Someone’s playing both sides and now they have a score to settle…
When the family business is crime, you can never be sure who to trust. And when three of their businesses are hit in one night, the notorious Glass family close ranks. Either someone is sending them a message or a war is coming...
With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust.
Crooked cops, rival gangs and old enemies are bad enough, but when the trouble comes from the inside, loyalties are tested, with deadly consequences.
MY THOUGHTS: I am on record, more than once, as having said that I don't like books about gangs and organised crime. It's time I added a qualifier to that statement: I don't like books about gangs and organised crime, unless they are written by Owen Mullen.
Mullen has written a fast paced thriller centred around the Glass family, and although it follows on from the first book in this series, Family, Insider possibly could be read as a stand-alone. But believe me, you would be missing out on some damned fine writing and the story behind the Glass empire.
This is a family for whom the answer to any and every problem is violence. And yet the violence in Insider is not gratuitous. I didn't skip one word of this book. Everything worked and worked superbly.
The characters are ones that I should, by rights, dislike. They are criminals. Life is cheap. But I don't dislike them. I have a sneaking admiration for them. I enjoy the family rivalries, and I particularly liked the introduction of Charley - is she who she claims to be, Luke and Nina's sister, or is she someone else altogether? The same question applies to ex-DI Mark Douglas.
Mullen has written a tautly executed thriller that will have you reading much later into the night than you intend. And no, he hasn't lost his sense of humour. It's evident in Insider from beginning to end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Insider #OwenMullen
I: @owenmullen6 #BoldwoodBooks
T: @OwenMullen6 @BoldwoodBooks
#fivestarread #crime #familydrama #contemporaryfiction #suspense #thriller #series
THE AUTHOR: Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to author Owen Mullen for providing a digital ARC of his novel Insider (The Glass Family #2) for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 2, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
He probably imagined he could handle himself because of the endless hours he spent at the gym. It took a lot more than that. Weights didn’t fight back.
The male ego at work once again, imagining he could satisfy a younger woman without bringing on a heart attack. Still – ten out of ten for effort. At one point, he’d made a sound in his throat like dolphins talking to each other and she’d thought he wasn’t going to survive. But he had. On Monday, Algie would be boasting to his colleagues about the foxy lady he’d tamed on Friday night.
With his gangly stride, from this distance he looked like a well-dressed stick insect on his way to the Ugly Bug Ball.
I was born at night, Kenny, but it wasn’t last night, you get what I’m saying?
My Review:
I continue in my fascination with Mr. Owen Mullen's gift of words skills as found in his creation of the Glass crime family of London. And while they were a horrid collection of shared DNA, their adversaries are so much worse I caught myself admiring Luke Glass – say what now? I had fallen so far into their criminal vortex I had lost my real-world perspective, which is a testament to Owen Mullen’s cunning skills in weaving a tale.
The storylines were just as intense, violent, amusingly snarky, and even more intriguing than the first book in the series as I was itching to uncover the mole and so very wrong in my hypothesis. The pacing and plotting were shrewd and nothing short of brilliant. But after losing myself in two of Mr. Mullen’s tautly written and absorbing tales, I am in dire need of a vat of wine, rom/com reading material, and a spa day to soak and hammer out the residual tension.
He probably imagined he could handle himself because of the endless hours he spent at the gym. It took a lot more than that. Weights didn’t fight back.
The male ego at work once again, imagining he could satisfy a younger woman without bringing on a heart attack. Still – ten out of ten for effort. At one point, he’d made a sound in his throat like dolphins talking to each other and she’d thought he wasn’t going to survive. But he had. On Monday, Algie would be boasting to his colleagues about the foxy lady he’d tamed on Friday night.
With his gangly stride, from this distance he looked like a well-dressed stick insect on his way to the Ugly Bug Ball.
I was born at night, Kenny, but it wasn’t last night, you get what I’m saying?
My Review:
I continue in my fascination with Mr. Owen Mullen's gift of words skills as found in his creation of the Glass crime family of London. And while they were a horrid collection of shared DNA, their adversaries are so much worse I caught myself admiring Luke Glass – say what now? I had fallen so far into their criminal vortex I had lost my real-world perspective, which is a testament to Owen Mullen’s cunning skills in weaving a tale.
The storylines were just as intense, violent, amusingly snarky, and even more intriguing than the first book in the series as I was itching to uncover the mole and so very wrong in my hypothesis. The pacing and plotting were shrewd and nothing short of brilliant. But after losing myself in two of Mr. Mullen’s tautly written and absorbing tales, I am in dire need of a vat of wine, rom/com reading material, and a spa day to soak and hammer out the residual tension.
June 14, 2021
Family #2
When the family business is crime, you can never be sure who to trust. And when three of their businesses are hit in one night, the notorious Glass family close ranks. With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust.
An unknown enemy has Luke and George's businesses under siege. The Glass family don't know who they can trust. Luke Glass is now head of the family patch after his brother Danny's disappearance. There's so much going on in this book.
The pace is fast, The plotline gripping and action packed. The storyline will keep you guessing and there's a little humour too. I loved the authors descriptive writing style. Luke is my favourite character even though he is a baddie, but he also has a streak of decency in him. This is a really good series and i can't wait to read the next book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #OwenMullen for my ARC of #Insider in exchange for an honest review.
When the family business is crime, you can never be sure who to trust. And when three of their businesses are hit in one night, the notorious Glass family close ranks. With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust.
An unknown enemy has Luke and George's businesses under siege. The Glass family don't know who they can trust. Luke Glass is now head of the family patch after his brother Danny's disappearance. There's so much going on in this book.
The pace is fast, The plotline gripping and action packed. The storyline will keep you guessing and there's a little humour too. I loved the authors descriptive writing style. Luke is my favourite character even though he is a baddie, but he also has a streak of decency in him. This is a really good series and i can't wait to read the next book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #OwenMullen for my ARC of #Insider in exchange for an honest review.
Read
July 1, 2021As book #2 in the hugely successful Glass Series a couple of things were important to me: firstly, much as I enjoyed it, in no way did I simply want to do a re-write of FAMILY; this book had to be able to stand on its own feet. And secondly, it had to have enormous energy; enough to draw you in and hold you until it lets you go at the other end. I hope I've managed to do that for you.
Family was easy - a London gangster was a book I was always going to write. Its follow up was more challenging - but as usual, once I actually got in front of the PC inspiration flowed.
They say write what you know so the series draws on my own experiences of London: pubs for instance are all ones I used - often while waiting to be picked up for a gig with the band - and characters are a blend of memory and imagination. My path very briefly crossed the infamous Kray brothers on two occasions. Once with the elder brother Charlie in the Mason's Arms in Devonshire Street and once with the twins at the Speakeasy in Margaret Street. Did I wonder what it was like to walk in their shoes? I honestly don't remember, but those fleeting moments stayed with me and surfaced when I began writing this saga. The Speakeasy, where you tripped over famous and soon-to-be-famous actors and musicians every night, where Ginger Baker greeted me like an old pal even though we'd never met laid the groundwork for LBC: the club that cleans the family's dirty money and paves the way to legitimacy.
LBC The Lucky Bastards Club was the original name for FAMILY and I was delighted to find it a new home after it had been cast aside in favour of a new title.
I've thrown in a few surprises which I really hope you enjoy. If so, then why not stop by on social media and say hi.
Family was easy - a London gangster was a book I was always going to write. Its follow up was more challenging - but as usual, once I actually got in front of the PC inspiration flowed.
They say write what you know so the series draws on my own experiences of London: pubs for instance are all ones I used - often while waiting to be picked up for a gig with the band - and characters are a blend of memory and imagination. My path very briefly crossed the infamous Kray brothers on two occasions. Once with the elder brother Charlie in the Mason's Arms in Devonshire Street and once with the twins at the Speakeasy in Margaret Street. Did I wonder what it was like to walk in their shoes? I honestly don't remember, but those fleeting moments stayed with me and surfaced when I began writing this saga. The Speakeasy, where you tripped over famous and soon-to-be-famous actors and musicians every night, where Ginger Baker greeted me like an old pal even though we'd never met laid the groundwork for LBC: the club that cleans the family's dirty money and paves the way to legitimacy.
LBC The Lucky Bastards Club was the original name for FAMILY and I was delighted to find it a new home after it had been cast aside in favour of a new title.
I've thrown in a few surprises which I really hope you enjoy. If so, then why not stop by on social media and say hi.
July 2, 2021
This is book two in The Glass Family. Family is book one and I recommend you read that one first as they are based on the same family.
Luke is now running the Glass family business.. but who is trying to take over their turf.
It was very easy to get into this story and as soon as I did I was gripped. I am already looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Luke is now running the Glass family business.. but who is trying to take over their turf.
It was very easy to get into this story and as soon as I did I was gripped. I am already looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
June 29, 2021
Someone’s playing both sides and now they have a score to settle…
Luke Glass is now in charge of the famous family empire but when their businesses are suddenly under fire on both sides of the river, Luke knows that he needs to act fast and find out who is behind it all before he loses territorial control completely, this is easier said than done though when he discovers that the hits are the work of someone on the inside!
Mullen is back again with the second in the Glass Family series and this one is just as high octane as the first, we see many of the old characters returning that we met in Family, but are also introduced to some new characters who certainly bring some fresh action to the mix. Luke and Nina are back and, now that they're not overshadowed by Danny, we get to see more of their individual strengths and weaknesses, Luke is definitely not one you would want to make an enemy of. Insider is an action packed read with a plot that Mullen executes perfectly, exposing the dangerous underworld of London crime at its best and, as I said in my review of Family, it's not for the feint hearted as this author does not hold back at all on the graphic detail within this series, highlighting what becomes of people that dare to cross the Glass family, it's not pretty but it makes for highly entertaining reading. If you haven't yet read Family, I suggest you start with that one as you will gain a full understanding of the characters and their background. I loved them both and am looking forward to book three which is released in 2022.
I'd like to thank Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Luke Glass is now in charge of the famous family empire but when their businesses are suddenly under fire on both sides of the river, Luke knows that he needs to act fast and find out who is behind it all before he loses territorial control completely, this is easier said than done though when he discovers that the hits are the work of someone on the inside!
Mullen is back again with the second in the Glass Family series and this one is just as high octane as the first, we see many of the old characters returning that we met in Family, but are also introduced to some new characters who certainly bring some fresh action to the mix. Luke and Nina are back and, now that they're not overshadowed by Danny, we get to see more of their individual strengths and weaknesses, Luke is definitely not one you would want to make an enemy of. Insider is an action packed read with a plot that Mullen executes perfectly, exposing the dangerous underworld of London crime at its best and, as I said in my review of Family, it's not for the feint hearted as this author does not hold back at all on the graphic detail within this series, highlighting what becomes of people that dare to cross the Glass family, it's not pretty but it makes for highly entertaining reading. If you haven't yet read Family, I suggest you start with that one as you will gain a full understanding of the characters and their background. I loved them both and am looking forward to book three which is released in 2022.
I'd like to thank Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.
May 23, 2021
just wow.
Book two South London The Glass Empire are back.
Luke Glass is running the firms along with his sister Nina when two locations Lewisham Bookies and River Car's Lambeth are both turned over with only the name Jazzer, he needs a face whoever had the balls he wasn't bring down Luke Glass and it doesn't end here.
George Ritchie swaps Newcastle for London and is running everything on the south of the river and they both pull in together, Paul Fallon is dead from security and Nina goes missing from the LBC club.
Charlene (Charley) Glass makes herself known in London and has to do a lot of work on Luke she's a chancer and now she's family, this lady is trouble and takes Over LBC big time this doesn't bother Nina as she hates the place but there's no sisterly love between these two.
This all going on is not finished not by a long shot, they will succeed because the three of them are family and nothing beats that.
They have an Insider to find who is trying to bring them down and take it all
After reading Family I was aching for Insider and this author hasn't let me down with this book, so fast pace with lot's of chilling moment's you will savour every chapter till the slap bang ending.
bring on book three.
Book two South London The Glass Empire are back.
Luke Glass is running the firms along with his sister Nina when two locations Lewisham Bookies and River Car's Lambeth are both turned over with only the name Jazzer, he needs a face whoever had the balls he wasn't bring down Luke Glass and it doesn't end here.
George Ritchie swaps Newcastle for London and is running everything on the south of the river and they both pull in together, Paul Fallon is dead from security and Nina goes missing from the LBC club.
Charlene (Charley) Glass makes herself known in London and has to do a lot of work on Luke she's a chancer and now she's family, this lady is trouble and takes Over LBC big time this doesn't bother Nina as she hates the place but there's no sisterly love between these two.
This all going on is not finished not by a long shot, they will succeed because the three of them are family and nothing beats that.
They have an Insider to find who is trying to bring them down and take it all
After reading Family I was aching for Insider and this author hasn't let me down with this book, so fast pace with lot's of chilling moment's you will savour every chapter till the slap bang ending.
bring on book three.
May 23, 2021
if you thought book 1 {family } was good you wait till you read book 2. so much more a very fast paste read .we have a new king of crime , this author knows how to tell a crime story. Luke is now in full power of his empire and turf ,Nina hates being in charge of the club she hates it . but Luke has got to comfy and took his eyes of the ball .someone has hired Jazzer to hit all his business s .but they go to far at the club and take of with the money of Jonas small to money launder .Luke hire s a new head of security Mark Douglas ex police. and a family member turns up that they had no idea existed . Luke s right hand man George is not happy about it at all and there police informant Oliver has forgot what they pay him for things are not looking god for the glass family will not say anymore but the twists and turns so good cant wait for the next instalment of the glass family i so recommend this series
June 3, 2021
Another gritty, hard-hitting crime novel from Owen Mullen! I love this series about the Glass family. Luke Glass has taken over running the family's patch in London from his brother Danny, but their authority is about to be challenged. Who is targeting them, and why? Add in a mysterious sister they've never seen before, and an ex-cop who happens to be in the right place at the right time, and you've got a story with plenty of twists and action!
Mullen has created a great set of characters, from Luke Glass, who appears decent until someone double crosses him, to Nina Glass, with her background of insecurity and her need to be spoilt. All the characters are well written and credible, and the setting and the plot draw you into the story right from the start. I hope there'll be another instalment to this great series! Highly recommend.
Mullen has created a great set of characters, from Luke Glass, who appears decent until someone double crosses him, to Nina Glass, with her background of insecurity and her need to be spoilt. All the characters are well written and credible, and the setting and the plot draw you into the story right from the start. I hope there'll be another instalment to this great series! Highly recommend.
June 27, 2021
This is a paradoxical review as I'm not a fan of gangland thriller but somehow (don't ask me why) I accepted to join a blog tour for a gangland thriller.
As I was involved in the blogtour I read this book and - WOW - it's excellent.
If you are new to this genre, like me, you need to adopt a different mind-frame as the bad guys are not the villain and you cannot help rooting for them. It's a matter of point of view and once I got the right one I couldn't put this book down.
It's gritty, gripping and fast paced, an exciting story full of twists and turns. There's plenty of secrets, betrayal, people that can or can't be what you think.
It's a fight for power and somebody is going to win, for the moment, or lose. Everything can change.
Luke and George are my favorite characters as they ruthless but they also show some more human side. The author excels at character development and all the characters are fleshed out. Please not there's plenty of them.
There's a lot about the importance of family and how important it is.
There's lot going on as someone is attacking the family and someone could be betraying them.
Will I read other books in this series: yes as I want to know what will happen and this was an exciting read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
As I was involved in the blogtour I read this book and - WOW - it's excellent.
If you are new to this genre, like me, you need to adopt a different mind-frame as the bad guys are not the villain and you cannot help rooting for them. It's a matter of point of view and once I got the right one I couldn't put this book down.
It's gritty, gripping and fast paced, an exciting story full of twists and turns. There's plenty of secrets, betrayal, people that can or can't be what you think.
It's a fight for power and somebody is going to win, for the moment, or lose. Everything can change.
Luke and George are my favorite characters as they ruthless but they also show some more human side. The author excels at character development and all the characters are fleshed out. Please not there's plenty of them.
There's a lot about the importance of family and how important it is.
There's lot going on as someone is attacking the family and someone could be betraying them.
Will I read other books in this series: yes as I want to know what will happen and this was an exciting read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 5, 2021
This is book 2 in this series and it has everything you could wish for in a crime series. Fast paced, chilling, superb characters, this author certainly knows what the reader wants and he delivers perfectly. No clues from me, read the blurb and buy the book, you will not be disappointed. Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous book.
October 24, 2021
With bad-boy Danny out of the way, the remaining members of the notorious Glass family prepare for war. Luke strives to find people he can trust to keep his empire safe, but with rumours of a police spy within the firm, he must tread carefully. To make matters worse, a previously unknown member of the Glass family emerges from the woodwork, giving Luke and his sister Nina a whole new set of concerns…
This is book two in the Glass Family series and it’s an absolute cracker. Owen Mullen starts off with a bang and keeps the action going all the way to the end. In a twisty-turny plot he ramps up the tension as his cast of disparate characters fight to stay on top. The development of the main players is interesting too and makes perfect sense with what we already know about them. As always, the story is realistic and believable, including a fair spoonful of violence as several storylines come together in a plot that only intensifies as we hurtle towards a thrilling climax.
Having already ordered the next book in the series, I can’t wait to see how the Glass Family deal with their new set-up. Bring it on, Mr Mullen!
This is book two in the Glass Family series and it’s an absolute cracker. Owen Mullen starts off with a bang and keeps the action going all the way to the end. In a twisty-turny plot he ramps up the tension as his cast of disparate characters fight to stay on top. The development of the main players is interesting too and makes perfect sense with what we already know about them. As always, the story is realistic and believable, including a fair spoonful of violence as several storylines come together in a plot that only intensifies as we hurtle towards a thrilling climax.
Having already ordered the next book in the series, I can’t wait to see how the Glass Family deal with their new set-up. Bring it on, Mr Mullen!
August 2, 2021
I enjoyed the first book but this one I found disjointed confusing and I couldn’t wait to finish it ! I feel cheated when I don’t love a book and this just didn’t do it for me . The threads were too many and confusing and although the glass family still have legs I’m not sure I will be reading another .
July 1, 2021
I have been a fan of Owen’s work for a little while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that he has written but I am getting there. I especially love the series featuring the Glass family. ‘Insider’ is the second book in the series and it is a corker. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Insider’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to be honest and say that the Glass family scare the doo doo out of me. They are heavily involved in the criminal underworld and they don’t let anybody or anything get in their way. They use violence with ease and some of their shenanigans made me wince as if I was feeling the pain that they were inflicting on their adversaries or their victims. I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of them.
It took me no time at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first couple of pages, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat. To say that reading ‘Insider’ became addictive is a huge understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be reading over 5 chapters later. I just couldn’t put this book down as I didn’t want to miss a single second of the story. I had to keep reading to find out if the Glass family could possibly be any worse than they were. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as I made my way through the story. I found ‘Insider’ to be a gripping read, which kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat.
‘Insider’ is superbly written but then I think the same about all of Owen’s books. Owen has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. I love the way in which Owen makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story. That’s how I felt at any rate. He certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. Owen doesn’t pull punches and some of the details in the story are rather gruesome and violent but that certainly didn’t put me off. In fact it left me wanting more. Reading ‘Insider’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to catch your breath and gather your thoughts and off the action would go again.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Insider’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. The series featuring the Glass family goes from strength to strength and just keeps getting better and better. I will certainly be reading more of Owen’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I have to be honest and say that the Glass family scare the doo doo out of me. They are heavily involved in the criminal underworld and they don’t let anybody or anything get in their way. They use violence with ease and some of their shenanigans made me wince as if I was feeling the pain that they were inflicting on their adversaries or their victims. I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of them.
It took me no time at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first couple of pages, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat. To say that reading ‘Insider’ became addictive is a huge understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be reading over 5 chapters later. I just couldn’t put this book down as I didn’t want to miss a single second of the story. I had to keep reading to find out if the Glass family could possibly be any worse than they were. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as I made my way through the story. I found ‘Insider’ to be a gripping read, which kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat.
‘Insider’ is superbly written but then I think the same about all of Owen’s books. Owen has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. I love the way in which Owen makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story. That’s how I felt at any rate. He certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. Owen doesn’t pull punches and some of the details in the story are rather gruesome and violent but that certainly didn’t put me off. In fact it left me wanting more. Reading ‘Insider’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to catch your breath and gather your thoughts and off the action would go again.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Insider’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. The series featuring the Glass family goes from strength to strength and just keeps getting better and better. I will certainly be reading more of Owen’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
July 3, 2021
We are back with the Glass family for book 2 in this gritty gangland series. Luke is now head of the family after events in the previous instalment, he never wanted this life..he was ready to walk away.. but once it’s got hold of you, you’re not getting out.
Jazzer and his friends are hired to hit some of Luke’s investments little do they know the world of trouble this will bring them. George Ritchie the gangster is back and working for Luke and you just know when he gets the scent there’s nowhere safe to hide . No one might have been hurt but George is old school… payback will be swift.
What happens next rocks the Glass family.. firstly the club is hit and this time there’s a body count..then someone from the past shows up.. a stranger.. but someone who wants a piece of the family action.
Soon it becomes very clear the hits were not carried out by the same crew.. and the Glass family are systematically under attack..and with little to no clues to go on Luke turns to Mark Douglas. Douglass is an ex cop who helped stop the hit at the club becoming worse than it was.. this guys good and he brings his own crew in the sort the family mess out.
Nina, Luke’s sister is still in the family business but she’s a loose canon.. can Luke, George and Mark tame her… no chance.. but can they calm her down enough to stop her getting in serious trouble.. or worse..
Things heat up a lot and the bodies start to pile up. Luke’s more shady customers start to become concerned, especially when they end up potential targets themselves.
Now Luke has his own connections, he’s got a policeman on the payroll but Oliver Standford has his own issues when he becomes a target too. He wants out of the life but he’s stuck..if he goes down so does the Glass family. The main issue is there is no chatter on who is after the family, but why? Surely someone knows?
Things come to a dramatic EXPLOSIVE conclusion in what has to be one of the best new series I’ve read in a long time. I never thought gangland thrillers would be my kind of story.. I’m a historical fiction guy through and through but Mullen knows how to suck the readers in, knows just how to write to get you invested and In customary fashion the author leaves you desperate for more.
The thing I enjoyed the most about this offering was the character development..we already know some of the main players and their motivations and this left the author time to bring in some fresh blood, even though it’s unlikely they will make it through this one alive.. the fresh blood helped keep things lively and exciting..and bloody fun to read.
Jazzer and his friends are hired to hit some of Luke’s investments little do they know the world of trouble this will bring them. George Ritchie the gangster is back and working for Luke and you just know when he gets the scent there’s nowhere safe to hide . No one might have been hurt but George is old school… payback will be swift.
What happens next rocks the Glass family.. firstly the club is hit and this time there’s a body count..then someone from the past shows up.. a stranger.. but someone who wants a piece of the family action.
Soon it becomes very clear the hits were not carried out by the same crew.. and the Glass family are systematically under attack..and with little to no clues to go on Luke turns to Mark Douglas. Douglass is an ex cop who helped stop the hit at the club becoming worse than it was.. this guys good and he brings his own crew in the sort the family mess out.
Nina, Luke’s sister is still in the family business but she’s a loose canon.. can Luke, George and Mark tame her… no chance.. but can they calm her down enough to stop her getting in serious trouble.. or worse..
Things heat up a lot and the bodies start to pile up. Luke’s more shady customers start to become concerned, especially when they end up potential targets themselves.
Now Luke has his own connections, he’s got a policeman on the payroll but Oliver Standford has his own issues when he becomes a target too. He wants out of the life but he’s stuck..if he goes down so does the Glass family. The main issue is there is no chatter on who is after the family, but why? Surely someone knows?
Things come to a dramatic EXPLOSIVE conclusion in what has to be one of the best new series I’ve read in a long time. I never thought gangland thrillers would be my kind of story.. I’m a historical fiction guy through and through but Mullen knows how to suck the readers in, knows just how to write to get you invested and In customary fashion the author leaves you desperate for more.
The thing I enjoyed the most about this offering was the character development..we already know some of the main players and their motivations and this left the author time to bring in some fresh blood, even though it’s unlikely they will make it through this one alive.. the fresh blood helped keep things lively and exciting..and bloody fun to read.
June 29, 2021
A calm has come to the Glass family over the last three years. After the whole hoo-ha involving his psychotic brother Danny and Rollie Anderson, Luke Glass can now concentrate on building his empire of Glass Gate construction, the Glass Houses real estate business and his lavish new club in the heart of the city while leaving South London and the street level business to the very experienced George Ritchie who was once employed by the Andersons. In addition to the estate agency, sister Nina, still acting like a spoilt brat, is unwillingly also running the LBC Club which caters to the rich and famous amongst the other services it offers. Then come three attacks in one night. Two, on a taxi office and a bookies, seem small fry and amateur in nature, but the third is in a different league altogether and heralds trouble. And the attacks also bring a message from a woman called Charley – just who is she and what does she want? Will the new head of security be up to the job? Luke still relies on help from bent DCI Oliver Stanford to let him freely pursue his criminal enterprises but the DCI doesn’t seem to be earning his keep lately. Luke gently reminds him that will need to change or else. Someone is hitting him hard, much blood is spilled and it’s about to turn very nasty. But how do you fight back when you don’t know who your enemy is and you don’t even know who you can trust?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. What initially looked like simple robbery became so much more as the plot unfurled with huge surprises for Team Glass, culminating in an absolute corker of a shocking ending and a great finish to leave the reader gasping for the next book. All the characters are very true to type, from the heavy set minders to the men like George who are much cleverer than the people they serve. You can just picture the bosses of the gangs who control the other parts of London like the Bishops and Bridie O’Shea. There’s plenty of action and thrills in an engrossing and gripping story. They might be gangsters but the family and their employees are easy to like and once again I found myself rooting for them to come out victorious. 5*
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. What initially looked like simple robbery became so much more as the plot unfurled with huge surprises for Team Glass, culminating in an absolute corker of a shocking ending and a great finish to leave the reader gasping for the next book. All the characters are very true to type, from the heavy set minders to the men like George who are much cleverer than the people they serve. You can just picture the bosses of the gangs who control the other parts of London like the Bishops and Bridie O’Shea. There’s plenty of action and thrills in an engrossing and gripping story. They might be gangsters but the family and their employees are easy to like and once again I found myself rooting for them to come out victorious. 5*
October 18, 2021
Mafia type crime thrillers are not usually my genre but I read this because I like Owen Mullen's style of writing and I was pleasantly surprised with the Insider. The characters really came to life and despite myself I became interested in these people. The Glass family are steeped in crime and they treat their enemies with brutality but in this second book of the series, there were some glimpses of the frailty of their earlier lives and the circumstances which may have led them to crave the security of money, power and prestige. The phrase "honor among thieves" came to mind when Luke Glass did business with the leaders of other criminal gangs but who could he really trust? When he discovers there is an informer among his associates, no one is exempt from suspicion He would not hesitate to torture or kill an enemy, not even if the enemy was within his own origination or even his family. How can he really be sure he has found the culprit?
The older Glass brother Danny dominates the first book in the series Family. He was ruthless and seemed without any redeeming qualities. He expected unquestioning loyalty from his younger brother and sister, because they were family but his first loyalty was to himself. I didn't like anything about him and I think for that reason I found it more difficult to connect with the other characters.
There is a third book in this seriesHustle which I have not added to my "want to read" list.
This book took me longer than usual to complete because I am currently studying, working and taking care of three dogs while owners are on holiday! I look forward to having more reading time soon.
The older Glass brother Danny dominates the first book in the series Family. He was ruthless and seemed without any redeeming qualities. He expected unquestioning loyalty from his younger brother and sister, because they were family but his first loyalty was to himself. I didn't like anything about him and I think for that reason I found it more difficult to connect with the other characters.
There is a third book in this seriesHustle which I have not added to my "want to read" list.
This book took me longer than usual to complete because I am currently studying, working and taking care of three dogs while owners are on holiday! I look forward to having more reading time soon.
May 20, 2021
4 stars
The Glass crime family is under siege—attacks on all fronts from unknown enemies, & a cop has purportedly infiltrated the organization. Great writing, a layered & complex plot, & a cast of mainly criminal characters who are somehow still mostly likable. I can’t wait for the next installment.
[What I liked:]
•I really like the writing style. The dialogue is authentic, the narration flows, the descriptions are vivid & drew me in, & there are some nice turns of phrases.
•Pretty much none of the characters in this book are nice people, but dammit if the writer didn’t make me feel for them anyway (most of them—there are a few rotten-to-the-core villains, ofc). Luke is a brilliant character. He’s cold as steel, brutal—but also has a decency to him; he respects those who’ve earned it, & isn’t violent for violence’s sake. I really do like him. Nina, despite her self-centered theatrics, grew on me & I do admire her achievements with her real estate business & empathize with her pain. Heck, I even found myself rooting for Ollie, the dirty cop who isn’t particularly smart or well-mannered, because he has such a loving relationship with his wife 🥲
•The plot is deliciously complex, but I never got lost or felt bogged down. All the loose ends were deftly tied up by the end. Every scene & character meant something to the story, no filler. It really is well done. Also exciting.
•Bridie & Niall get special mention, because their relationship is the sweetest & purest & dammit I nearly cried.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•Charley at times felt a bit over the top as a character. Perhaps because I never really saw any soft side to her, unlike Nina & Luke, & only seeing her hard-core, almost unhinged-ness made her seem almost surreal. Her backstory was also a bit thin (how did she get to London? get the money to front her operation? etc.)
CW: murder, torture, substance abuse
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
The Glass crime family is under siege—attacks on all fronts from unknown enemies, & a cop has purportedly infiltrated the organization. Great writing, a layered & complex plot, & a cast of mainly criminal characters who are somehow still mostly likable. I can’t wait for the next installment.
[What I liked:]
•I really like the writing style. The dialogue is authentic, the narration flows, the descriptions are vivid & drew me in, & there are some nice turns of phrases.
•Pretty much none of the characters in this book are nice people, but dammit if the writer didn’t make me feel for them anyway (most of them—there are a few rotten-to-the-core villains, ofc). Luke is a brilliant character. He’s cold as steel, brutal—but also has a decency to him; he respects those who’ve earned it, & isn’t violent for violence’s sake. I really do like him. Nina, despite her self-centered theatrics, grew on me & I do admire her achievements with her real estate business & empathize with her pain. Heck, I even found myself rooting for Ollie, the dirty cop who isn’t particularly smart or well-mannered, because he has such a loving relationship with his wife 🥲
•The plot is deliciously complex, but I never got lost or felt bogged down. All the loose ends were deftly tied up by the end. Every scene & character meant something to the story, no filler. It really is well done. Also exciting.
•Bridie & Niall get special mention, because their relationship is the sweetest & purest & dammit I nearly cried.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•Charley at times felt a bit over the top as a character. Perhaps because I never really saw any soft side to her, unlike Nina & Luke, & only seeing her hard-core, almost unhinged-ness made her seem almost surreal. Her backstory was also a bit thin (how did she get to London? get the money to front her operation? etc.)
CW: murder, torture, substance abuse
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
June 24, 2021
I loved the first book in this series and this second book Insider continues the story of the Glass family. This is where I do recommend reading the first book, not only because there are details that help the relationships in the second book. And also because it is a brilliant read.
Danny Glass is gone, Luke Glass is now running the family business and Nina Glass is running her real estate business. Things seem to be going well until there are two robberies and a third on the LBC club. The club is the centre of the business, it is Luke's baby and he feels this as an attack on him and his family. Good job that there is a security guard there who knows his business.
The author once again hit the reader with an amazing high impact crime thriller read. The Glass family are not, well, they're not quite legitimate, actually, they are a lot not legitimate! But there is something quite likeable about them. I think it is the way the author portrays the importance of family. They never had the best childhood but they did what they did and it is the reason they are where they are today.
The author introduces some new characters, this keeps the storyline fresh and gives more for the reader to think about. Being a series that revolves around a crime family you know that there is going to be a large amount of mistrust. Adding new characters is enough to keep the reader kind of on the fence as they try to work out why the new characters are there.
This is a fabulous read and one that I adored from the very bringing to the end. Many twists and second-guessing moments, there are red-herrings as the author toys with the reader. The questions that start to build are eventually answered, the doubts are put to rest but there is something lingering on the horizon for the family and it has left me so eager to see what happens next.
This is one for readers who like gritty, gangland crime thrillers read. It is addictive, fast-paced and an absolute hard hitter. An excellent second book in this series and one I would definitely recommend.
Danny Glass is gone, Luke Glass is now running the family business and Nina Glass is running her real estate business. Things seem to be going well until there are two robberies and a third on the LBC club. The club is the centre of the business, it is Luke's baby and he feels this as an attack on him and his family. Good job that there is a security guard there who knows his business.
The author once again hit the reader with an amazing high impact crime thriller read. The Glass family are not, well, they're not quite legitimate, actually, they are a lot not legitimate! But there is something quite likeable about them. I think it is the way the author portrays the importance of family. They never had the best childhood but they did what they did and it is the reason they are where they are today.
The author introduces some new characters, this keeps the storyline fresh and gives more for the reader to think about. Being a series that revolves around a crime family you know that there is going to be a large amount of mistrust. Adding new characters is enough to keep the reader kind of on the fence as they try to work out why the new characters are there.
This is a fabulous read and one that I adored from the very bringing to the end. Many twists and second-guessing moments, there are red-herrings as the author toys with the reader. The questions that start to build are eventually answered, the doubts are put to rest but there is something lingering on the horizon for the family and it has left me so eager to see what happens next.
This is one for readers who like gritty, gangland crime thrillers read. It is addictive, fast-paced and an absolute hard hitter. An excellent second book in this series and one I would definitely recommend.
October 6, 2021
Insider by Owen Mullen is the second book in the Glass family series. I needed no encouragement to read and review this book as I was on the first books tour and it blew me away. Needless to say this book has drawn me in even more to the Glass family and their ups and downs.
We return to the Glass Family and now Luke is in charge of the family business. Things begin to go majorly wrong on both sides of the river and Luke is very aware this needs sorting and fast. He needs to discover who is behind these hits before he loses territorial control. It isn't long before he finds out that they are the acts of someone on the inside.
Well, now Danny Glass has gone and no longer takes the limelight away from both Luke and Nina we are now able to see their strengths and weaknesses in full glory. Saying that, they are still the Glass family and not a family to be messed with at all.
Owen Mullen has kept the action, danger and violence up to the level I experienced in the first one. I love being back with Luke and Nina Glass. The shady criminal underworld is still as violent and I loved it.
We are introduced to new characters who help keep the storyline exciting and up to date. They also kept me intrigued as to what parts they were going to play within the Glass Family crisis. The original characters gain even more depth throughout Insider, which just made them feel even more like I was with them and they were old friends.
Everytime I read a book by Owen Mullen he always pulls out all the stops. Every book is just as good if not better than it's predecessor and Insider is certainlly that! Am very impatiently waiting for the next book now...
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, netgalley and Boldwood Books for the copy of the book.
We return to the Glass Family and now Luke is in charge of the family business. Things begin to go majorly wrong on both sides of the river and Luke is very aware this needs sorting and fast. He needs to discover who is behind these hits before he loses territorial control. It isn't long before he finds out that they are the acts of someone on the inside.
Well, now Danny Glass has gone and no longer takes the limelight away from both Luke and Nina we are now able to see their strengths and weaknesses in full glory. Saying that, they are still the Glass family and not a family to be messed with at all.
Owen Mullen has kept the action, danger and violence up to the level I experienced in the first one. I love being back with Luke and Nina Glass. The shady criminal underworld is still as violent and I loved it.
We are introduced to new characters who help keep the storyline exciting and up to date. They also kept me intrigued as to what parts they were going to play within the Glass Family crisis. The original characters gain even more depth throughout Insider, which just made them feel even more like I was with them and they were old friends.
Everytime I read a book by Owen Mullen he always pulls out all the stops. Every book is just as good if not better than it's predecessor and Insider is certainlly that! Am very impatiently waiting for the next book now...
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, netgalley and Boldwood Books for the copy of the book.
July 5, 2021
Before I read this, I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to follow this plot well as I haven't read the first in the series, but I did not need to worry, this works well as a stand alone. Insider has everything you would expect from this genre; violence, crime, action, suspense and questionable characters. This undoubtedly is a must read so don't be put off if this is the first time you've heard of The Glass Family and Owen Mullen!
I found this to be a classic page turner, with a great beginning, landing the reader straight into it. The writing style by Owen Mullen makes this an addictive read for any fan of Gangland thrillers. I was on edge all the way through, eager to find out who was the perpetrator was and at one point, I think I was weary of all the characters.
Although the characters were unlikable by action, as a reader I actually come to like them as individuals by the end of this. I am definitely going back to read book one, just so I can find out the beginning of this scenario in more detail, but this is only for my own justification and is not a necessity as mentioned above. I am hoping there is more to come from The Glass Family. I have been left hungry for more by both the characters and the writing.
The only reason why this is not a five star read is because it did not manage to knock my favourite off the top spot - however it's certainly an author I will be looking out for in the future.
Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for a place on this book tour.
I found this to be a classic page turner, with a great beginning, landing the reader straight into it. The writing style by Owen Mullen makes this an addictive read for any fan of Gangland thrillers. I was on edge all the way through, eager to find out who was the perpetrator was and at one point, I think I was weary of all the characters.
Although the characters were unlikable by action, as a reader I actually come to like them as individuals by the end of this. I am definitely going back to read book one, just so I can find out the beginning of this scenario in more detail, but this is only for my own justification and is not a necessity as mentioned above. I am hoping there is more to come from The Glass Family. I have been left hungry for more by both the characters and the writing.
The only reason why this is not a five star read is because it did not manage to knock my favourite off the top spot - however it's certainly an author I will be looking out for in the future.
Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for a place on this book tour.
June 29, 2021
This is book 2 in the Glass Family series but they work perfectly as stand alone.
'Team Glass' was Danny Glass' baby but Danny has gone leaving Luke to pick up the reins along with his sister Nina. Everything is ticking along nicely with Luke's 'baby' LBC doing well. Then came the night everything changed. Glass businesses were robbed and LBC attacked by machete yielding men who care nothing for the lives of innocent people. Lives were saved by a stranger who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Or was he?
As Luke and Nina are counting the cost of the attacks a stranger appears bringing a bombshell that will leave them reeling.
Who is behind the attacks and what do they want?
As I expect with Owen's books the action starts on page one kicking the adrenaline into action and taking the reader on a roller coaster ride all the way to the end.
Characters who are old friends continue to gain depth over the course of the book with new ones adding interest and intrigue to what is already a griping story keeping the reader engaged all the way through.
A brilliant read.
Huge thanks to Netgalley, Bombshell Books and the authro for the advance digital copy . This is my unbiased review.
'Team Glass' was Danny Glass' baby but Danny has gone leaving Luke to pick up the reins along with his sister Nina. Everything is ticking along nicely with Luke's 'baby' LBC doing well. Then came the night everything changed. Glass businesses were robbed and LBC attacked by machete yielding men who care nothing for the lives of innocent people. Lives were saved by a stranger who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Or was he?
As Luke and Nina are counting the cost of the attacks a stranger appears bringing a bombshell that will leave them reeling.
Who is behind the attacks and what do they want?
As I expect with Owen's books the action starts on page one kicking the adrenaline into action and taking the reader on a roller coaster ride all the way to the end.
Characters who are old friends continue to gain depth over the course of the book with new ones adding interest and intrigue to what is already a griping story keeping the reader engaged all the way through.
A brilliant read.
Huge thanks to Netgalley, Bombshell Books and the authro for the advance digital copy . This is my unbiased review.
February 20, 2022
Not bad, though not quite as good as the first installment of this series about the Glass family, the aptly named 'Family.' The characters from London's underworld are entertaining, but many of them are as one dimensional as cartoon characters - it's difficult to imagine that people described as Mullen describes them would be capable of building and running a successful business, criminal or otherwise. Then too, none of the characters, cops or crooks, is in the least bit likeable. In 'The Godfather,' Mario Puzo made us understand why Don Corleone became a mafia boss. Briefly, it was because he lived in a corrupt society and could not find a place in that society suitable to his talent and intelligence unless he played by the same corrupt rules. He was happy enough working at the grocery store of his friend Genco's father; had he not lost his job because the local mafia boss wanted it for a relative, he might have spent his life running a grocery. The Glass family siblings don't seem to have a similar excuse. We're meant to believe they were set on the path where they are now because their parents abandoned them. The novels don't really allow us to see the wider world, in which most people who have family tragedies of that kind go on to live very conventional lives. Perhaps they would be more realistic if they did.
June 11, 2021
Luke Glass is now the head of the family patch in London after his brother, Danny ‘disappeared’. Trouble rears it’s head when one of the bookies and taxi firms are turned over by somebody called Jazzer.
When Charley arrives to claim she is Luke and Nina’s sister, the proverbial hits the fan! Luke wants to get to know her, Nina can’t stand her on sight and George Ritchie doesn’t trust her at all.
After Luke’s club, LBC is turned over and staff are killed, Luke ends up hiring celebrity minder and ex police officer, Mark Douglas as his head of security.
With obvious takeovers being planned, Luke needs to find out who he can trust and quickly.
What an action packed book! This is a fast paced and gripping story. Just when you think you know who has done what, you can guarantee you are wrong! Excellent characters throughout and some humour to lighten things up every now and then. I cannot wait to read more in this excellent series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
When Charley arrives to claim she is Luke and Nina’s sister, the proverbial hits the fan! Luke wants to get to know her, Nina can’t stand her on sight and George Ritchie doesn’t trust her at all.
After Luke’s club, LBC is turned over and staff are killed, Luke ends up hiring celebrity minder and ex police officer, Mark Douglas as his head of security.
With obvious takeovers being planned, Luke needs to find out who he can trust and quickly.
What an action packed book! This is a fast paced and gripping story. Just when you think you know who has done what, you can guarantee you are wrong! Excellent characters throughout and some humour to lighten things up every now and then. I cannot wait to read more in this excellent series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 21, 2021
Insider by Owen Mullen is the second book in The Glass Family series, this was just as good as the first book.
I was hooked within the very first few pages. I loved the way he writes and had me sitting on the edge of my sit on many occasions throughout this book. With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust. Who are they? and what do they want?
This book is packed with lots if twists and turns throughout and it has corrupt police, rival gangs and old enemies that are bad enough, but when the trouble comes from the inside, loyalties are tested, with deadly consequences. WoWoW......Brilliant!!!! Looking forward to the next book in the series
Insider is I highly recommend this book. I loved it,
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the opportunity to read the next installment of The Glass family.
I was hooked within the very first few pages. I loved the way he writes and had me sitting on the edge of my sit on many occasions throughout this book. With trouble coming from all sides, the heads of the Glass family have more than enough to deal with, but all bets are off when a stranger from the past enters the game, causing division and mistrust. Who are they? and what do they want?
This book is packed with lots if twists and turns throughout and it has corrupt police, rival gangs and old enemies that are bad enough, but when the trouble comes from the inside, loyalties are tested, with deadly consequences. WoWoW......Brilliant!!!! Looking forward to the next book in the series
Insider is I highly recommend this book. I loved it,
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the opportunity to read the next installment of The Glass family.
June 16, 2021
Tense London crime thriller
Luke Glass is in control of his London crime territory, so when 3 of his operations take a hit on the same night something is seriously wrong.
Luke’s sister is missing, the tame policemen isn’t doing his job, and then when everything is in turmoil comes the biggest shock of all. In this character led thriller, Luke Glass and his family need to find out where the threat to their business operations is coming from – and whether there is a threat from within. Meantime the action continues at a pace and tensions rise.
This is the second book in Owen Mullen’s Family series, I hear a third is due in 2022. This second book is definitely a great read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading Book 1 in the series Family first. The ending to Insider ties everything up well, but certainly leave the reader wanting more.
Luke Glass is in control of his London crime territory, so when 3 of his operations take a hit on the same night something is seriously wrong.
Luke’s sister is missing, the tame policemen isn’t doing his job, and then when everything is in turmoil comes the biggest shock of all. In this character led thriller, Luke Glass and his family need to find out where the threat to their business operations is coming from – and whether there is a threat from within. Meantime the action continues at a pace and tensions rise.
This is the second book in Owen Mullen’s Family series, I hear a third is due in 2022. This second book is definitely a great read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading Book 1 in the series Family first. The ending to Insider ties everything up well, but certainly leave the reader wanting more.
July 1, 2021
I came to read Insider without reading the first book in the series. I do wish that I had read these in order as it felt like I was missing out as I read Insider. Having said that, this works fine as a standalone.
Insider had a lot going on in this gangland story that kept me guessing and suspicious. The Glass family, with Luke running things, have a lot of enemies, it comes with the territory of being a big hitter in their world. In this instance it seems that they must look closer to home to find out who is behind the recent hits on their businesses.
I enjoyed this tense, exciting story that drew me in and was hard to put down. I really liked the story’s pace and Mr Mullens writing style which really held my focus throughout.
I would say that if you enjoy the writing of Martina Cole then there is a good chance that you will enjoy this series.
Insider had a lot going on in this gangland story that kept me guessing and suspicious. The Glass family, with Luke running things, have a lot of enemies, it comes with the territory of being a big hitter in their world. In this instance it seems that they must look closer to home to find out who is behind the recent hits on their businesses.
I enjoyed this tense, exciting story that drew me in and was hard to put down. I really liked the story’s pace and Mr Mullens writing style which really held my focus throughout.
I would say that if you enjoy the writing of Martina Cole then there is a good chance that you will enjoy this series.
July 8, 2021
This was a good book with some great characters and there was quite a few of them, but as the book opens up you learn more about them and their threat to the family and with others their loyalty.
This is the second book in the series the first being "family".
Luke Glass is now head of and running the family business with his sister Nina. South London is their territory and they will fight tooth, nail and dirty to protect both it and The Family. The business is at risk of being attacked from all sides and it is Lukes job to find out who is the threat and deal with them, he doesn't realise that they have a mole.
If you want violence, If you want gritty gangland then this is the book for you, it starts from the first page and steams on through the book. A thoroughly gripping book from start to finish
This is the second book in the series the first being "family".
Luke Glass is now head of and running the family business with his sister Nina. South London is their territory and they will fight tooth, nail and dirty to protect both it and The Family. The business is at risk of being attacked from all sides and it is Lukes job to find out who is the threat and deal with them, he doesn't realise that they have a mole.
If you want violence, If you want gritty gangland then this is the book for you, it starts from the first page and steams on through the book. A thoroughly gripping book from start to finish
July 18, 2021
I’m really enjoying this series. Owen Mullen does it again with this gripping, page-turner, Insider. Many of the characters from Family return, and we are also introduced to new characters as well. Each is well plotted and really adds to the story. I love how character driven this is.
This is gritty and fast-paced. It is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was definitely difficult for me to put this one down and go to sleep, the night I started it.
I love the writing and the characters. I think this could be read as a standalone, but you would miss some background and it’s just better to read them in order! Overall, a great read, that I recommend!
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the review copy and the opportunity to honestly review this book on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
This is gritty and fast-paced. It is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was definitely difficult for me to put this one down and go to sleep, the night I started it.
I love the writing and the characters. I think this could be read as a standalone, but you would miss some background and it’s just better to read them in order! Overall, a great read, that I recommend!
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the review copy and the opportunity to honestly review this book on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
June 8, 2021
The Glass family has it covered when they know the variables but throw an unknown in and all chaos breaks out! Love the covers and blurbs with this series!
What did I like? After the chilling first novel part two adds macabre to the well established Glass family. After suffering casualties from book one, this one starts out with businesses being hit, and an unknown coming forward claiming family ties. A chilling but brilliant next stage for the family. Five stars!
Would I recommend or buy? I’d definitely read more by this author and recommend to anyone loving a chilling tale. This is one author that does not disappoint I!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
What did I like? After the chilling first novel part two adds macabre to the well established Glass family. After suffering casualties from book one, this one starts out with businesses being hit, and an unknown coming forward claiming family ties. A chilling but brilliant next stage for the family. Five stars!
Would I recommend or buy? I’d definitely read more by this author and recommend to anyone loving a chilling tale. This is one author that does not disappoint I!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
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